Lincolnshire Tourist Guide

1,000 Years of Traditional Crafts Event in Lincoln

By popular demand, a smash-hit heritage event returns to Lincoln this September – and this year it’s bigger and better than ever.

On 29 and 30 September, 1,000 Years of Traditional Crafts returns to Lincoln Castle and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. The spectacular event will showcase more than 50 heritage skills, including blacksmithing, stone masonry and stained glass. It will also be the first chance to see inside the brand new Heritage Skills Centre – the first new building inside the castle grounds for 150 years.

Councillor Eddy Poll, Executive Member for Cultural Services, said:

“After last year’s success we decided we had to make it a two-day event this time. That way people have plenty of time to see all that’s on offer. We’ve got lots of hands-on activities to keep you entertained, including a special marquee just for our younger visitors, who’ll be able to have a go at making a medieval musical instrument, traditional beeswax candle dipping and much more.

“And not only will this be your first chance to have a look round the new Heritage Skills Centre, it’ll also be your final opportunity to see the male prison before it’s transformed as part of our Lincoln Castle Revealed project. With so much to see and do, I’m sure this year’s event will prove just as popular.” 

Also making a welcome return will be the Taste of Lincolnshire Food Fair, with delicious county food on offer in Castle Square and throughout the castle grounds, as well as cookery demonstrations in Castle Hill car park.

Advance tickets are available now at a discounted price by phoning 01522 545458.

Lincoln Christmas Market

Lincoln Christmas Market started in 1982 with just eleven stalls. Today it is a thriving traditional market with over 250 stalls attending and drawing in visitors of over 150,000 from all over the country.

With only a few weeks to go until Christmas it is the perfect opportunity to get in the festive spirit and get all your Christmas shopping done. There is so much to see, try and buy, from handmade jewellery, toys, paintings, glassware and ceramics to the delicious food halls where you can sample some of the local specialities and enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

There is a strong German influence on the market as the town is twinned with Neustradt an der Weinstrasse in Germany. It has a strong friendship and alliance which has been in place since 1969. Lincoln is steeped in history with the Gothic Cathedral and Norman Castle located in the popular Uphill area. It is always worth allowing time to explore the cobbled streets and take in all the amazing architecture that the city has to offer.

Be sure to wear sensible footwear to get around the bustling steep cobbled streets, though. It is always advisable to wrap up warm as it is often very cold with temperatures dropping in the evening. Last year the event was cancelled at the last minute due to severe weather conditions. Already this year due to its popularity all the stalls have been booked and there is a waiting list for stallholders.

Lincoln is just as stunning by night as it is by day. With the fully lit Cathedral and Castle towering above the city; this magnificent sight can be seen for miles around. The Christmas decorations twinkling and glistening in the winter air and the smells of roasting chestnuts makes for a truly romantic, warming and festive start to the month.

If you have time to spend the weekend in the city there are lots of other things to do and see including – Brayford Waterfront, the theatre, museums, boat trips, as well as lots of well established places to eat and drink. The market is open from Thursday 1st December to Sunday 4th December. Thursday 4pm-9.30pm; Friday and Saturday 10am -9.30pm and Sunday 10am-7pm. There will be park and ride locations around the city for easy access.

Tea at Tealby

Nestling in the middle of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Tealby is said to be ‘one of the prettiest villages in the Lincolnshire Wolds’. Tealby Tea Rooms is located at 12 Front Street and just four miles from Market Rasen. The building dates back to 1880; double-fronted, it has a welcoming half-glazed green wooden door and a pretty swing sign hanging above one of the windows.

It was mid-morning when we arrived and we had planned our route to call in at the tea rooms for a snack and a pot of tea. We were greeted with a friendly smile by the owner, Mrs Glover. Being the only people in the tea room at this time, we chose a seat by the window. Our order of tea cake, cheese and ham toastie and pot of tea for two was taken by Mrs Glover.

Whilst it was being made we had time to leaf through the tourist information that was displayed on top of the piano and admire the local paintings that were hung around the room. The tea room was light and airing with a mix and match of chairs and tables adding to the quaintness and uniqueness. Our mid-morning snack was promptly served. Although the tea cake was slightly toasted more than I prefer it was still scrumptious and the pot of tea was a welcome refreshment. It had been a long time since breakfast. My friend was impressed with his choice and didn’t waste anything, finishing off his toastie.

Their menu also includes paninis, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, bacon rolls, homemade cakes and cream teas. Whilst clearing away our pots Mrs Glover told us how they make their own homemade plum loaf, which they sell at craft fairs as well as in the tea room. They are also expanding the kitchen and workshop into the adjoining room, which is currently a store room and a cut through to the visitor toilets.

Mary Bennett from The Teapot Trail said, ‘In such an unspoilt village one naturally hopes to find a good traditional tea room and the Tealby Tea Rooms are the very thing.’

We left the tea rooms and walked down Front Street towards the edge of the village; along Kingsway and crossed over a ford entering a public footpath. We met several other walkers with their dogs on the route enjoying the crisp morning air and taking in the open blue skies. We rejoined the public road at Beck Hill and walked up towards All Saints Church which dates back to the 12th Century. Being a clear day it gave panoramic views across The Wolds and beyond.

The village itself if steeped in history with connections to William The Conqueror and Alfred Lord Tennyson. The King’s Head is a 14th century thatched inn and is one of the oldest pubs in Lincolnshire.

We would certainly recommend stopping off at Tealby Tea Rooms and sampling some of their homemade delights. It is a great location to explore and enjoy some of stunning scenery that The Lincolnshire Wolds has to offer.

 

Information:

Website: www.tealbytearooms.co.uk

Telephone: 01673 838261

Prices: £1.20 - £4.75

Parking: On road

Disabled access: One step into Tea Rooms

Open: March – October, 7 days a week, 11am – 5.30pm.

Seats: Fifty

Groups: Welcome and talks on the Tea Rooms and local area available

Tickets selling like hot cakes to food show!

Tickets are selling like hot cakes for the Lincolnshire Food and Drink Show in Cleethorpes.

Two celebrity chefs are lined up to attend the show on 24 and 25 April.

For more information click on the link below:

Article on Food and Drink Show

Get yourself to the Sausage Festival today

Lincolnshire Sausage Festival is being held at Lincoln Castle today.  Entry is free and there will be cookery demonstrations, activities for the children and stalls to purchase local produce.  For more information telephone 01522 550613.